GLIER Graduate Student Handbook

GLIER Graduate Student Handbook

All the answers you need in one place!

2019-2020

Graduate Student Handbook for GLIERDisclaimer

This document was prepared by the Graduate Committee at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) at the University of Windsor (UWin), and is intended to provide informal, useful information about the facilities and services available in the Institute and at the University to incoming graduate students. It is correct to the best of our knowledge; however, policies and procedures may change. Please consult with the GLIER Graduate Committee, GLIER’s Executive Director, or Faculty of Graduate Studies to verify that information listed is current and accurate. Please notify the GLIER Graduate Committee of any errors of fact, implication or omission. Suggestions for other material that should be included are welcome.

ContentsDisclaimer2Contents3Thinking about coming to GLIER?9Why GLIER?9You are looking for a program that is unique9You don’t want to be part of a crowd9You want to graduate with the skills employers are looking for9You want to make a difference to the environment10You want a broad understanding of the problems facing the environment10You want hands-on experience10You want to be at the center of Great Lakes research10You want to have a global perspective11What can I do with a degree from GLIER?11How can I find an Advisor?11Applying to GLIER11Checklist for applying to GLIER:14Where can I get more information?14New to GLIER?14Welcome!14What should I do now?14Before you arrive at GLIER15Once you arrive at GLIER15Getting Started at GLIER (checklist)18Current GLIER Students19Three Major Requirements of Grad School19Choosing a Research Topic19Publications and Presentations19Nuts & Bolts of Grad School Requirements20Committees (inlcuding Chair) 20Examinations22How do I transfer from my current M.Sc. to a Ph.D. program?25Timeline Extensions25Leave of Absence26Taking graduate courses at another University (visiting student)26What do I need to graduate?26Graduating Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science26Graduating Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Environmental Science28I am defending close to the beginning of the term - do I need to register?29What about finances?30Help on Campus30Tuition and Fees30Scholarships & Awards30External Awards30GLIER Endowment Awards30Graduate Student Conference Travel Support Fund31Graduate Student Society31National and Provincial Scholarships31UWin Endowment Awards31Paid work31Graduate Assistantships (GAs)31Research Assistantships (RAs)32Summer Stipends32Work Study32Student Loans33Discounts33International Student Identity Card (ISIC).33Student Price Card (SPC).33UwinCard33CUPE 458034UWin Employee34Around GLIER34People34Research Facilities35Map of GLIER35Animal Behaviour Laboratory35Aquatic Research Facility35Centre for Geospatial Analysis35Chemical Tracers Laboratory36Computer Facilities36Element and Heavy Isotope Analytical Laboratories (EHIAL)36Environmental Genomics Facility (EGF)36Advanced Microscopy and Materials Characterization36Freshwater Ecology Restoration Centre (FERC)36Nutrient Analysis Laboratory36Organic Analytical Lab37General Facilities37Board Room37Conference Room37Lounge37Lab Services Rooms37Mail Room37Student Lounge37Procedures and Policies37Research-Related37Academic Integrity37Appeals37Boats38Field Courses38Fieldwork38Fumehood Alarms39Major Equipment Malfunction39Reimbursement39General Procedures and Policies43Addresses43Backing up your computer44Booking rooms44Fax44Mail44Office Supplies45Parking45Pets45Photocopying45Poster Printing46Receiving Packages46Repair Requests46Safety & Security46Sending a large electronic file47Software47Telephone47Equipment & Supplies48Research-related Equipment and Supplies48General Equipment and Supplies50Getting involved50…as a student representative50…in the GLIER Graduate Student community51…in the UWin Graduate Student community51…as a scientist in the wider community51What is there to do in Windsor?51Where can I go for help?52Dealing with Problems52Academic Support52Academic Data Centre52Academic Integrity Office52Bookstore52Centre for English Language Development52Document Imaging Centre / CourseWare52FAQs for Graduate Students53Information Technology Services53Orientation to Working in a Lab53Library Services53myUwindsor53Skills to Enhance Personal Success - S.T.E.P.S.53Student Disability Services53Writing Support Desk53Career and Employment Services54Co-op, Career and Employment Services54Co-Curricular Transcript54GAing Help and Support54Lead@UWindsor54Mitacs54mySuccess54Volunteer Internship Program (VIP)54Volunteer opportunities54Health & Wellness54Athletics & Recreational Services54Campus Dental Centre55Campus Lifeline55Campus Police55Financial Planning55Psychological Services & Research Centre55Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct55Student Counselling Centre55Student Health 10155Student Health Services55University Pharmacy55Social/Cultural Support56Aboriginal Education Centre56Ubike Share56Interfaith Initiatives56Community Legal Aid56Housing56Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility (Office of)56International Student Centre56Student Clubs and Societies56Womyn’s Centre57Appendix A: Proposed Grading Rubric for Oral-only Comprehensive Examination58Appendix B: Important Dates59January59February59March59April60May60June60July61August61September61October62November62December62Appendix C: Things to discuss with your Advisor early in your program63Your Project63Day-to-day Activities63Academic Concerns63Financial Concerns64

Thinking about coming to GLIER?Why GLIER?You are looking for a program that is unique

At present, GLIER is the only graduate program in North America focussing explicitly on stressors – including pollution and invasive species -- in the Great Lakes and other large aquatic systems and their watersheds. Modelled around a collaborative Central Facilities Model, GLIER’s capacity for freshwater aquatic research is unparalleled in North America. Our program is focused, well-funded, high-impact, and has a growing international reputation for excellence in our chosen field of research. Per capita, we are consistently the best-funded and most-published department at the University of Windsor (UWin) and our pool of student applicants is of very high quality.

At GLIER, our ultimate goal is training the environmental stewards of the future, with a strong foundation in basic scientific research, an understanding of research applications in, for instance, establishing policy and guidelines for industry and government, and the training to be able to communicate to all sectors affected by their findings.

You don’t want to be part of a crowd

GLIER is not a department, like Biology or Chemistry, but a research institute. Our focus is not on large, undergraduate classes, but on small multidisciplinary groups working collaboratively on environmental research. GLIER graduate students are a tight-knit group: they share office space, participate together in small but intensive graduate seminars, and share knowledge and expertise through lab exchanges within the Institute and internships nationally and internationally. Due to our small class sizes and significant teacher-student interactions, the vast majority of students have grades that are A- (83%) or better and no student has ever performed at a grade lower than the mandatory University of Windsor expectations of B- for graduate students.

You want to graduate with the skills employers are looking for

GLIER trains researchers that — in addition to the standard scientific expertise — graduate with a network of contacts, training and experience with scientific communications, and familiarity with a suite of cutting-edge tools due to their hands-on operation of our state-of-the-art instrumentation. Some of the features that distinguish GLIER’s graduate program are:

· GLIER graduate students are required to participate in conferences and symposiums (local, national and international) to gain experience in public speaking and also allow them greater opportunity for networking and development of interpersonal skills in a professional scientific setting.

· Every graduating student from the GLIER program must submit at least one paper to a peer-reviewed journal; most publish far more, at a rate of just over 2 papers/student, many in top-tier science journals. This reflects the high standards to which we hold our students, but also the productivity of our faculty. Requiring publication encourages our students’ literacy, numeracy, and communication skills and ensures that the students take their projects to completion.

· Our graduate students are also given networking opportunities and experiences through lab exchanges, internships and collaborations with our adjunct professors and other scientists outside of GLIER (government, industry and academia) exposing them to the application and management side of scientific research, so they can grasp the entire scientific process, not just a single, focused aspect of academic research.

· GLIER offers professional development workshops to augment workplace skills so that our students are readily distinguishable as potential employees, and to allow them to integrate effectively and immediately into the workplace once hired. This skill development is accomplished through the CREATE training program and through individual labs or lab associations (e.g., Genomics and Transcriptomics Workshop, electrofishing training, and Marine Emergency Duties (MED A3) training).

You want to make a difference to the environment

You are passionate about the environment, and so are we. We don’t want to do research of interest only to other scientists, we want to make a difference in the world. GLIER’s focus on research excellence in aquatic environmental sciences is our greatest strength. It has resulted in a high profile for our Institute as our graduates and faculty provide guidance to policy makers, are a presence in high-level networks, panels and committees, and garner high levels of funding and numbers of publications. The high profile nature of many of our faculty members’ service (e.g., speaking in Parliament, heading international projects, being members of international commissions) only serves to broaden the scope and reach of their students’ research and career possibilities.

You want a broad understanding of the problems facing the environment

Graduate programs elsewhere tend to focus on single areas of expertise; students in the GLIER Graduate Program, on the other hand, acquire a comprehensive understanding of how to conceptualize issues that affect large lakes and their watersheds through contact with a variety of physical and natural sciences. Due to GLIER’s emphasis on collaborative research, students have multiple resources to turn to for advice and assistance; they are encouraged to interact closely not only with their Advisor or co-Advisor, but with other members of their committee and GLIER faculty. GLIER’s leadership and excellence in freshwater aquatic research mean that, despite GLIER’s small size, our faculty can easily find external experts as speakers for seminars, extra training, and laboratory exchanges or to sit on graduate committees.

You want hands-on experience

We believe that providing unparalleled hands-on access to sophisticated scientific instrumentation expands and accelerates the development of our graduates’ information literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving. With GLIER’s model of accessible cutting-edge Central Facilities, access to laboratories, equipment, data or sample analysis has never been a challenge for GLIER’s graduate students. This is the kind of value-added experience you will find at GLIER that will distinguish you to potential employers in your post-graduate career.

You want to be at the center of Great Lakes research

Our institute is strategically located geo-physically in the heart of the Great Lakes, eco-geographically at the northern tip of the Carolinian ecosystem and politically at the busiest border crossing in North America. These factors make GLIER a logical national centre for Great Lakes research, reflected, for example, in GLIER’s role as Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN) headquarters. This network spans the nation, bringing together 31 researchers from 13 partner universities and 6 federal laboratories with the aim of assisting industries affected by Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), developing government policy regarding AIS, and advancing invasion science and technology.

You want to have a global perspective

Employers tell us that the ability to work in a team environment with a global emphasis will be essential skills in the coming years, and GLIER’s collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to large scientific questions encourages the development of teamwork, personal, and group leadership skills. At GLIER, our students have opportunities to attend international conferences; work with collaborators, graduate students and visiting professors from all over the globe; and, ultimately, seek employment both within and outside of Canada. We have close ties with a number of international agencies for funding, collaborative research, network agreements, and student exchanges (e.g. Three Gorges Dam project in China).

What can I do with a degree from GLIER?

GLIER faculty train high-calibre graduate students to address serious environmental problems that affect the Great Lakes, their watersheds and other large lakes of the world. Our students graduate with experience in all aspects of scientific research, professional skills and a network of contacts to give them a competitive edge in a global market.

Many of our graduates continue in professional schools (medicine, dentistry, law) or go on to Ph.D. and post-doctoral positions. Other graduates have moved on to faculty positions at research-intensive universities both in Canada and the US, or to research scientist positions at federal agencies. More and more students are also moving on to positions in environmental consulting companies.

How can I find an Advisor?

You may already have a strong idea of which field of study you’d like to pursue as a graduate student. If you don’t, don’t worry, this is the time to explore possibilities. The choice of your academic Advisor will help guide your future career. Take a look through GLIER’s faculty page to find the perfect match for you. Often the professors will have linked CVs or personal webpages, so be sure to check those out, too, to get even more information on research programs conducted by GLIER faculty.

The Universities of Waterloo and British Columbia have excellent webpages on choosing a potential Advisor. If you need some ideas on how to write an introductory e-mail, Waterloo’s page has some tips, and there are more details from the blog “The Professor Is In.”

Applying to GLIER

Excellent decision! The following are some steps you should follow.

Check that you meet the minimum admission requirements

The GLIER Graduate Committee looks for excellent academic records that include strong backgrounds in one or more of the basic disciplines (e.g. biology, chemistry, earth sciences) and previous work in the disciplines related to the intended area of concentration.

For entry into our M.Sc. program, you must have maintained an average of no less than 77% in your final two years of undergraduate, full-time study and hold an appropriate Honours Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). For entry into our Ph.D. program, you must have a Master’s degree with high academic standing.

The committee also gives weight to the letters of recommendation, the applicant's letter of intent, and evidence of research activity (peer-reviewed publications, submissions to scholarly journals, presentations at conferences, attendance at workshops).

If English is not your first language, you must have an acceptable English Language Proficiency Score. Important to note: if English is not your first language, but your last post-secondary degree is from an approved English-language University, you may be exempt. However, please still verify with Grad Studies.

Contact the GLIER Graduate Secretary

Send the GLIER Graduate Secretary an unofficial transcript so they can check that your GPA is at a B+ level in your last two years of schooling and see if you are eligible for a Tuition Scholarship (GPA: A-). Note that even if you do receive a Tuition Scholarship, there will still be fees for incidentals, like the optional Drug and Dental plans.

Apply

The deadline dates for consideration for Entrance Scholarships are as follows:

· Fall entrance scholarship May 1

· Winter entrance scholarshipSeptember 1

· Spring entrance scholarshipJanuary 1

For more information please follow the link to the Entrance Scholarship program.

The deadline to have your application and all fees and supporting documents are as follows:

· Deadline for Fall:July 1

· Deadline for Winter:November 1

· Deadline for Intersession (Summer):March 1

International candidates should attempt to apply at least six months in advance of their planned enrolment date.

Apply online to the University of Windsor from the Faculty of Graduate Studies homepage through the OUAC site choosing the “Environmental Science” graduate program from your list of options. Once your payment has been processed (up to two business days) you will be sent an email with further instructions on how to proceed with the application process such as activating your UWin account and logging into eGAs – the University of Windsor’s electronic graduate application system. Once you log in to eGAs you will be able to upload copies of all the required application documents and list your references, and you will be able to track the progress of your application.

You will need:

· Official transcripts (one copy from each degree; and only if you attended a university other than UWin; submitted directly to the Office of the Registrar).

· Confidential Report forms from referees (2 for the M.Sc. program, 3 for the PhD program; submitted by the referees directly to the eGAs).

· A letter of intent that clearly outlines your interest in the GLIER Environmental Science program and identifies the GLIER supervisor with whom you will be conducting research.

· A deposit.

· If English is not your first language, you may also be asked to submit English Language Proficiency Score scores. GLIER does not require submission of a GRE.

Once you have uploaded all required documents it is important to remember to click on the “Submit Application” button as it is only at this time that the eGAs system will send an invitation to your referees to complete the reference forms on your behalf. The referees will be given 21 days to complete this. It is important time management to submit your application at least 21 days prior to the above deadlines to ensure your listed references arrive on time and therefore completing your application requirements.

Wait for acceptance

You will receive an e-mail from Graduate Admissions acknowledging your application. Once the application has been processed (usually a minimum of two weeks), another e-mail will be sent to you letting you know what documents you will need to send in and provide you with a student number and Personal Access Code (PAC) (refer to Activate your UWinID, below).

Within approximately four weeks (depending on the time of year) you will receive a letter of acceptance from Graduate Studies. This may include a form for a Tuition Scholarship, if eligible. Complete this form within the stated time and return it to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Deferral of admission

There is a deadline if you would like to defer your admission from the original start date you applied for, with approval of the GLIER program acceptance may be deferred for one term only. The request for deferral deadline is by the late registration deadline of the term prior to the one in which you intended to start your program. For example, if you are deferring to the Fall term you must make a deferral request by the late registration deadline for the Summer term. On the Faculty of Graduate Studies homepage you can find a list of Important Dates.

GLIER Graduate Student Handbook 2019-2020

65

Checklist for applying to GLIER:Date completedItem to complete

Check that you meet the minimum admission requirements

Find a GLIER Advisor

 

Contact the GLIER Graduate Secretary

Apply at UWin (online through OUAC system); activate account; log in to the eGAS.

□ official transcripts

□ a letter of intent

□ a deposit

□ English proficiency scores (if English is not your first language)

□ 2 letters of reference (for MSc) or 3 letters of reference (for PhD)

 

Complete Tuition Scholarship form (if sent by Graduate Studies)

Activate your UWin ID

 

Check out the UWin Faculty of Graduate Studies Website

 

Apply for a Study Permit

Look through the International Student Centre’s website

The last two items are for International Students only.

Where can I get more information?

Contact the GLIER Graduate Office for any questions about GLIER or our programs or to request a tour. Please note that GLIER offers only graduate programs. To look at an undergraduate program at the University of Windsor, check out the University of Windsor website.

New to GLIER?Welcome!

We’re so glad you’re here! At GLIER, you will be able to jump right into some exciting science, start developing your professional networks and begin learning the skills you will need to embark on a post-graduate career to make a difference to the environment.

What should I do now?

We have all the details you need to know to get set up and on your way. They are summarized in the “Getting Started at GLIER Checklist” at the end of this section. If you have any questions or difficulties, don’t hesitate to contact the GLIER Graduate Office.

Before you arrive at GLIERActivate your UWinID

This will allow you to monitor your application status online through myUWindsor. If you activate it through this link using your PAC, it will also automatically set up your UWinGmail account as well.

Register in the programSee section “Coursework” for information on which courses you must register for as a M.Sc. student and as a PhD student. This is done through your myUwindsor account.

Check out the UWin Faculty of Graduate Studies Website

The FGS website has information on:

· Tuition Fees: contains payment deadlines, current fees and payment options. For instance, you can arrange to pay your tuition through a biweekly payroll through the Cashier’s Office.

· Graduate Assistantships: Contains hourly and annual rates.

Funding Available: Contains a list of available scholarships. Check out the UWin Graduate Student Society Website

The GSS website has information about the GSS and what it can offer, including health care coverage and scholarship opportunities.

International Students: Apply for a Study Permit (i.e., Student Visa)

Due to the long processing time, it is a good idea to start your visa application six to eight months before you wish to start your program. Because every country’s requirements will be different, be sure to check out the excellent International Student Centre’s (ISC) page on applying for a permit. Your permit will be issued to you at your port of entry.

International Students: Check out the International Student Centre’s website

The International Student Centre (ISC) website has information about their “buddy” program, the “soft landing” program, including free first-night hotels and pick-ups, and many other useful items.

Once you arrive at GLIERMeet with your Advisor

You will need to discuss your project, your degree and lab customs (see Appendix B).

Meet with the Graduate Program Chair

To review your graduation timeline, milestones and necessary courses for completion.

Contact the Graduate Secretary

The Secretary will:

· assign you office space and a phone extension.

· inform you about the internet system in use at GLIER.

· set you up on the printer in Grad studies.

Contact the Assistant to the Executive Director

The Assistant will:

· arrange your paperwork for a key to the building, your office and lab. You will need a local mailing address, phone number and student/employee number before they can begin the paperwork.

· arrange completion of the Student Hiring Authorization (if you will be receiving a salary through a GA, Work Study or salaried RA – most graduate students do). You will need this to get your employee number (see below); you need to fill in the top part.

Get an employee number (if you will be salaried, e.g., for Graduate Assistantships (GA’s) & Research Assistantships (RA’s))

Contact Human Resources (Room 207 Chrysler Hall Tower) so they can help you get an employee number. There is a list of forms to complete and documents to bring on their website. International Students, see below for information on getting your SIN, Student Study Permit, and a bank account.

Pay key deposit and pick up your card/keys.

Visit to Key Control to pay $50.00 refundable deposit (by debit or credit card). Once you have returned to GLIER, give your receipt to the Assistant to the Executive Director; they will keep this on file for you. You will be issued a refund when you surrender your keys to Key Control.

Complete online training modules

You may be able to access all of these modules from the consolidated required training website.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Training (~30 minutes)

Everyone working in a lab must have Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training, updated annually. This is an online course that can be completed in about 30 minutes.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) training (~25 minutes)Accessible Customer Service Training (~90 minutes)Health & Safety in the Workplace

Violence & Harassment Prevention in the Workplace: Awareness Training (PowerPoint and quiz)

Choose whether to opt out of Green Shield coverage or add family members

If you already have extended health coverage, including dental, you can choose to opt out of UWin’s program and be reimbursed for the fee. You can also choose to add family members to your program. If you applied early (July) you should be able to change this on your myUWindsor account. Otherwise, you can wait for the e-mail from the Graduate Student Society (GSS), or go to the GSS webpage.

International Students: Apply for a SIN

You will need a Social Insurance Number in order to be paid by the University. See the ISC website for details. You can take your letter from Human Resources to a Services Canada location (inside City Hall) to get your SIN.

International Students: Open a Chequing Account at a Canadian Bank

The closest bank to the University is the Toronto Dominion (TD) Bank at the corner of Wyandotte and Rankin. They offer a Student Account (details here). You will need your passport, Student Permit and letter of acceptance and/or UwinCARD.

Get your UwinCARD (Student Card)

The UwinCARD office is in the basement of the CAW Student Center. They will take your picture and print your card. You must bring one piece of government-issued photo ID (e.g. passport).

Pick up your International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

You can get these from the University of Windsor Student Association (Room 209 of the CAW Centre) to be eligible for discounts around the city and across Canada (see “Discounts” in the “Finance” section).

Arrange for any reimbursement cheques to be direct deposited

All reimbursements (e.g., travel costs) are direct deposited to your bank account in order to speed up the reimbursement process.

Getting Started at GLIER (checklist)

You can look in the “What should I do now?” sections to find details on each task. Items highlighted in blue are for International Students only.

Date completedItem to complete

 

Meet with your Advisor

 

Meet with the Graduate Program Chair

Register

 

Contact the Graduate Secretary

 

Contact the Assistant to the Executive Director

 

Get an employee number

 

Pay key deposit and pick up card/keys

 

Complete online training

□ Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

□ Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

□ Accessible Customer Service

□ Health & Safety in the Workplace

□ Violence & Harassment Prevention in the Workplace

 

□ Choose whether to opt out of dental/health coverage

 

□ Apply for a SIN *

 

□ Open a chequing account *

 

□ Get your UwinCARD

□ Pick up your International Student Card *

 

□ Arrange for any reimbursements to be direct deposited

*Specific for International students

Current GLIER StudentsThree Major Requirements of Grad School

These are: conducting research, presenting your research, and publishing your research.*

*Taking courses is another requirement, but this is a research-based graduate program, hence the pervasiveness of the term, “research”…

Choosing a Research Topic

Your Advisor may have suggestions for a research topic, and at the Master’s level, this is certainly a great way to start. That is not to say that you shouldn’t try to develop your own set of questions within this framework – graduate study is a great exercise in intellectual thought. This is especially relevant for doctoral students, since at this level your professional identity may be shaped (at least at first) by association with your chosen topic. Other great suggestions for choosing a thesis or dissertation research topic can be found in the following websites, here and here.

Publications and Presentations

Scientific communication is critical to career success no matter what sector you hope to work in. You can have the most exciting project and results in the world, but if you can’t communicate your findings in a clear and engaging way, you will be one of the few who know about them! GLIER graduate students will have the chance to develop their scientific communication skills and many opportunities to practice them!

Publishing in a Journal

All GLIER students are required to generate at least one journal article (M.Sc. one submitted; Ph.D. one submitted and one accepted). After looking at your research questions, data and results, your Advisor will probably have a good idea as to which journal you should be targeting for submission. You can go to the journal website to find the “Guidelines for Authors” to discover formatting, submitting and outlining requirements. Read through several articles in that journal that are similar to how you think yours might be, to get an idea of what to include or emphasize in each section. Your Advisor will help you every step of the way—after all, their name is going to be on this article, too! Your Committee members are also good people to reach out to for a thorough review of your drafts – especially if they are co-authors of your work. Writing help is available through the University, and Mitacs has several pertinent workshops available.

Presenting Your Data

Public speaking is a very common fear that can be overcome by learning presentation techniques and, of course, through practice! GLIER graduate students are provided ample opportunity for both.

The GLIER Seminar is an excellent place to develop your presentation technique before an intimate and non-judgemental audience who also provide constructive feedback. In addition, Mitacs has a two-part series to help you develop your presentation skills, the Campus LifeLine program at UWin offers counselling on presentation skills and the University has a fun and active Toastmasters Club open to students from across the University.

GLIER graduate students are encouraged to present their data in poster presentations, University and Departmental seminars and at conferences in Canada and abroad. One fun (and potentially lucrative!) venue in which to try out your presentation skills is the 3 minute Thesis Competition held in the spring.

Conferences

GLIER graduate students have had the opportunity to speak at conferences all over the world. Talk to your Advisor about which conferences you might present at (and the best ways to cover the fees and travel costs!).

Some of the conferences that are heavily attended by GLIER graduate students are:

American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting

Held in August; call for abstracts starts in July.

Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research (CCFFR)

Held in January; call for abstracts deadline in October.

Goldschmidt

Held in summer months: call for abstracts deadline in late winter.

International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR)

Held in June; call for abstracts deadline in October.

International Symposium on Subsurface Microbiology (ISSM)

Held in summer months: call for abstracts deadline in late winter.

Nuts & Bolts of Grad School RequirementsCommittees

Your Committee members can be one of your most valuable resources during your graduate work: they bring expertise to help you troubleshoot problems and experience to suggest different research lines you may want to pursue. They will review your experimental design and proposed analyses, approve your coursework, give you feedback and advice on your progress and participate in your examination(s). They are also the people most likely to write supportive letters of reference for scholarship or job applications! For more details, you can look at the sections on “Advisory Committees” on GLIER’s site (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) and at the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Who do I need on my Advisory Committee?

An Advisory Committee needs to have at least:

· Your Thesis/Dissertation Advisor and/or co-advisor

· Internal Department Reader: one other GLIER faculty member (M.Sc.); two other GLIER faculty members (Ph.D.)

· Outside Department Reader: faculty member at UWin, but “outside” of GLIER*.

*Because GLIER Faculty are cross appointed to other departments, they can act as either Internal or External readers, provided you already have a GLIER Internal reader. The same applies for GLIER Hybrid Faculty (i.e., those who are from outside departments granted hybrid status to GLIER). Other committee members -- including people outside of UWin from industry or government – can be included, but these three are mandatory.

The majority of the members of an Advisory Committee, including your Advisor, must have graduate faculty status. Adjunct Faculty can be on Committees except sole Advisor (i.e., they can be a co-Advisor). Some committees may have additional members called “Special Members” with specialized skills.

Note that at the same time you form your Committee, you will need to validate the Non-Exclusive License to UWin authorizing the University to archive, reproduce, and distribute your thesis.

Who selects my Committee members?

Your Committee members will be selected with the advice and assistance of your Advisor.

Occasionally, new discoveries from your research may cause your research program to diverge to the point where the expertise of one or more of your Committee members is no longer relevant. You always have the option to revise your Committee membership to keep the expertise relevant to your research question (either adding or dropping). You can also bring even more expertise to your Committee by adding “Special Members” from industry, government or NGOs. Whenever there are changes made to your Committee you will need to resubmit your Committee membership form.

How will the Chair for my Committee be selected?

Master’s students are responsible for finding their own chair. However, you can seek assistance from the Graduate Secretary or the Graduate Coordinator if you are having trouble securing a Chair.

Doctoral students have a faculty member appointed as Chair by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Chair is a non-voting member of your Committee.

What do I need to do and bring for my Committee meetings?

You should let the Graduate Secretary know in advance of any of your meetings so that she can provide you with a committee meeting form. Fill out the form with your student ID#, the title of your research project, the anticipated date of the meeting and who the members of your committee are. Bring the form with you to your meeting. Your committee members will each need to sign the form, to officiate the creation of the committee and acceptance of your proposal. This signed form gets sent to the Faculty of Grad Studies (don’t worry – the Grad secretary does this on your behalf).

You will also be required to provide the Graduate Secretary with either an e-copy or hard copy of the written proposal you will have submitted (and presented) to your Committee for your first official meeting.

Every subsequent meeting has an internal committee form. Again, request a copy of this form from the Grad Secretary. This is to make sure that everyone is aware of what you are doing, is in agreement with any of the changes to your thesis that happen (this is quite common), and that you are indeed on track to defend!

I am transferring from a M.Sc. to a Ph.D. Can I keep my old Committee members?

If appropriate, members of the student's M.Sc. advisory committee may also serve as members of the doctoral committee.

How can I make sure I get the most out of my Committee meetings?

Be proactive, be prepared (and get your Committee members prepared, too), and leave knowing what your next steps are. You can also read up on how to Finish Your Thesis.

Who do I need on my M.Sc. Examining Committee for when I defend?

Your Examining Committee consists of your Master’s Committee plus another faculty member of GLIER who will act as Chair (non-voting). You can suggest a particular faculty member to the GLIER Director or Graduate Program Chair.

Who do I need on my Ph.D. Examining Committee (Comprehensive Exam & Dissertation)?

Your Examining Committee for your Comprehensive Exam consists of your Doctoral Committee plus a Chair to oversee the exam. For your dissertation, you will need an external examiner who is someone outside of UWin who is an expert in the field but has not been involved in helping you with your dissertation. They must be appointed at least eight weeks prior to your defense, and approved by the Graduate Program Chair and the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean of Graduate Studies will also appoint a faculty member as Chair (non-voting).

ExaminationsComprehensive Examination (Ph.D.)

This exam is done within two years of beginning your program to ensure that you have both a reasonable mastery of your specialized field and also knowledge of broader areas of Environmental Science; it is designed to test your command of knowledge and ability to integrate that knowledge. Your Advisory Committee may recommend that you take remedial or additional coursework, which you will need to complete to graduate.

Typically, students approach their Advisory Committee six months before the scheduled exam date and begin preparing for your exam then, but discuss with your Advisor what the best timeline is for you.

You are strongly encouraged to meet with each of your Advisory Committee Members to discuss likely knowledge areas where they may concentrate their questions to help you focus your study direction. They may provide you with materials, such as journal articles or book chapters. Your Committee Members may be very vague or very precise in what they will tell you, but either way they don’t need to stick to it! Once a date for your comprehensive Exam has been finalized, it is your responsibility to ask a non-Committee member to be a neutral Chair for your exam. Begin this process as soon as possible to ensure it is in the faculty member’s calendar since most schedules fill up quickly! Then please inform the Graduate Secretary so she can prepare an information folder for the Chair.

Can I attend an exam to see how it’s run?

Unfortunately, these exams are closed.

What should I bring the day of the exam?

Notepad, pen and some water. No reference materials are allowed.

Where should I go?

GLIER Boardroom.

Who can be there?

Only the members of your Examining Committee and the neutral Chair.

How long does the exam take?

Approximately three hours.

What happens in an exam?

First the Chair will explain how the examination will proceed, then there will be two or three rounds of questions, where each examiner takes about 15 minutes to ask a series of questions. The person who starts the questions is the most external and the order moves to the most internal (your Advisor). The Chair and your Advisor may take notes to help identify areas of strengths and those that may need improvement.

At this time you will be asked to step out of the room – you’re usually asked to wait in your Grad Office; someone will come to get you when they are ready. To help focus the discussion on the student’s performance (and avoid gut-feeling or arbitrary decisions), the Examining Committee discuss each of the questions on the “Grading Rubric for Oral Comprehensive Examination” ( Appendix A) and complete it together. While the Chair doesn’t vote, they do moderate the discussion and provide feedback on how this examination compares to previous exams in the department.

After the vote is complete, you are invited back into the room and the result is reported immediately by the Chair – this typically takes about 5 to 20 minutes. The verbal report is followed within 24 hours by a report written by the Chair of the exam, and includes the “Grading Rubric.” The written report is copied to you, your Advisor, each of your Advisory Committee Members, the Graduate Program Chair and the Graduate Secretary, who will place the report in the student’s file.

What results can I get?

Four results are possible: Pass with Distinction, Pass, Conditional Pass, Repeat Exam, and Failure. These are explained in more detail in Appendix A.

What if I failed?

If this was your first attempt at the exam you will be given a “Repeat Exam” result. You can re-take the exam within six months of the first. If you fail the second exam, you must withdraw from the Ph.D. program.

If you receive a “Pass with Conditions”, this typically means that you’ve performed well enough that there’s no real benefit to re-examination, but you will have to fulfil some conditions to proceed, such as specific reading, writing, or course completion tasks. These will be spelled out in the Chair’s submission including the names of the people who will evaluate whether these criteria have been met. Failure to meet these conditions before your PhD defense will render you ineligible to defend.

Dissertation & Thesis DefensesWhat kinds of questions will the examiners ask?

The types of questions asked will vary widely, depending upon whether the defense is of a thesis (MSc) or a dissertation (PhD), the type of research you did and also upon the Committee members themselves. Questions may vary from specific to very general, within the context of the discipline. You may be asked to explain or clarify details dealing with data presentation or interpretation and general conclusions. Examiners may ask questions that test your familiarity with background theory or methodology or different approaches to the topic. Series of questions may lead into general academic discussion in which you may be asked to speculate on questions to which there is no specific answer. You should realize that you will seldom be expected to know the answers to all of the questions posed: many examiners wish to establish the limits of a student's knowledge in a particular area, so they will pursue a line of questioning until the candidate can’t answer.

How can I best prepare for my defense?

One effective way of practicing is to get friends and lab mates together to stage a mock exam. Get them to look over your thesis/dissertation and then ask you questions.

What should I bring the day of the defense?

Your thesis/dissertation, a notebook and pen and some water. No reference materials (other than your thesis/dissertation) are permitted.

Who can be there?

Defenses are advertised across campus and are open to the public. They are held in GLIER’s Conference Room (Rm 250). Questions from the general audience are permitted at the discretion of the Chair. The general public may also attend the committee-questioning period that follows the presentation and held in GLIER’s Boardroom. The audience may remain until the Committee begins its deliberations. If they elect to stay through the question period, they must remain seated and silent throughout the entire process, and must leave before deliberations.

How long does the defense take?

Typically, a thesis defense takes about 1½ to 2 hours; a dissertation defense takes about 3 to 3½ hours.

What happens in a defense?

You and your Committee will be introduced to the audience by the Chair after which you will make an oral presentation (typically 15-20 minutes for MSc, 30-45 minutes for PhD) summarizing the chief conclusions of the thesis or dissertation. The Chair asks for questions from the general audience (Committee Members will withhold questions at this time).

After a short (five to ten minute) recess, you will retire to the Boardroom at GLIER, where the Committee Members will take turns asking you questions. One round of questioning usually lasts for about an hour, and so with multiple rounds, it can go on for several hours. The order of questioners and types of questions posed are moderated by the Chair, whose role is to ensure fairness. The Chair may participate in the questioning but won’t necessarily do so. Once the questions are over, the candidate and members of the audience are excused (you can wait in your Grad Office).

The Committee evaluates both the written thesis/dissertation, your presentation and your handling of the questions asked (from both the general audience and the Committee Members). Specific revisions may be put forward as a prerequisite for recommending that the candidate be passed. Once they have made their decision, you will be recalled and advised of the outcome of the deliberations.

Similar to the Comprehensive Exam, you will receive an immediate verbal report, followed within 24 hours by a one-page letter (you can see the “Report form” here under “Thesis related forms”) written by the Chair and copied to you, your Advisor, each of your Advisory Committee Members, the Chair of the Departmental Graduate Committee and the Graduate Secretary, who will place the report in the your file.

What results can I get?Pass with no changesPass with minor changes

If there are only small revisions needed (e.g., typographical errors, clarification of textual material, qualification of conclusions) your Advisor can sign off on them.

Pass with major changes

If major revisions are required (e.g., new analyses, substantive textual changes) your Examining Committee will need to lay out very clearly what is required for completion.

Fail but can resubmit

If more than one negative vote is cast, you will meet with your Advisor, the Graduate Program Chair and the Dean of Graduate Studies to determine your options and resubmit between three and twelve months after your initial grade is given.

Fail

Must be unanimously negative. You may not resubmit your defense and must withdraw from the program.

If the Committee has agreed to a Pass or a Pass with minor changes, your committee can then immediately sign your thesis signature page. Please make sure signatures are done in black ink – otherwise, your thesis will be returned by the library thesis-formatting group and need to be redone.

For Pass with major changes, your committee will hold off signing the thesis signature page until you have made the corrections and notified the committee of them– either through a written synopsis or individual meetings with the members. Some members may ask to re-read the thesis before signing.

What do I need to graduate?

Your Advisor, Advisory Committee and the Graduate Program Chair will help keep you on track toward graduation, but here are the basic requirements for graduation. More details are available on GLIER’s website and in the Graduate Calendar.

Graduating Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Environmental ScienceTimeline:

You need to be completely finished your graduating requirements within 36 months of admission.

M.Sc. and PhD. Defense Timeline & Checklist

Whether you are a master`s student or a doctoral student you will need to prepare to defend your thesis or dissertation. Here is a checklist to summarize the requirements for both:

Completed

Requirement

MSc Timeline

PhD Timeline

Prospectus to Committee and GLIER Grad Secretary –at same time as 1st Committee Meeting

Within 6 months of Start Date

Within 12 months of Start Date

1st Committee Meeting

(FGS form, submit on UWinsite)

Within 6 months of Start Date

Within 12 months of Start Date

2nd Committee meeting

Final Meeting

(Forms Internal)

Within 6 months of Defence

N/A

1 year after 1st Committee Meeting

Within 6 months of Defense

Comprehensive Exam

N/A

Within 18 months of Start

Journal Submission

(must provide proof)

Prior to Graduation

Prior to Graduation

Submission Accepted by Journal

(This is a GLIER specific requirement, you must provide proof to the Grad Secretary)

N/A

Prior to Graduation

Submit Notice to Defend to Grad Secretary

8 days prior to Defense

8 days prior to Defense

Defend Thesis/Dissertation

Order Hardcopy of Thesis/Dissertation for Dept./self

Apply for Graduation

At least 1 month prior to Graduation

Deadline set by FGS

At least 1 month prior to Graduation

Deadline set by FGS

Coursework:

· GLIER Multidisciplinary Graduate Seminar course: Required by both MSc and PhD candidates. It is a full year course, so you can only register for it for grades in the Fall term. In addition, all students are required to register for and audit the course every Fall even after they’ve obtained a grade. **Do NOT register for the GLIER Seminar Course if you plan to defend EARLY in the semester (i.e., by the Phase I deadline).

· GLIER Environmental Research Proposal course is required by all MSc candidates: registration for this course dependent on when you’ve started your program and when it is offered.

· Ensure that you are registered every semester (including Intersession) for your “Thesis” (Course number GLIE 8970 for MSc Students, GLIE 9980 for PhD Students).

· Additional coursework required by your Examining Committee.

Obtain B+ (77%) minimum in all coursework. Once classes are completed, it is good practice to double check your MyUWindsor account to ensure your transcript is complete and has all coursework accurately recorded including your thesis.

Course Substitution requests

If you want to substitute a course external to the GLIER program instead taking one of the required GLIER courses you will have to get pre-approval from both the Graduate Coordinator and the Faculty of Graduate Studies as this will be a change to the approved program structure.

Research activities and submissions:

· Within the first 6 months, you will need to submit a written Research Proposal to your Committee. Usually in the first committee meeting. This will outline the background, approach and general expectations of the intended project.

· One journal article submitted for publication in order to graduate (but not required prior to the defense).

· At least 2 meetings with your Master’s Committee: first meeting within six months of starting your program; at least one other six months prior to your thesis defense.

· Annual Report submitted to the Graduate Secretary by May 31 of each year. Specific original Annual Reports (i.e. Scholarship winners) will be forwarded to the Faculty of Graduate studies on their request.

· Master’s thesis.

Final Examination:

· A public defense of your thesis before the Examining Committee. This should be completed at least three weeks before convocation. Please note that you must fulfill the requirements of your degree in order to graduate – i.e., having a paper submitted for publication. You can still defend your Master’s without the submission requirement.

Important Dates for Thesis Defense:

It needs to be said that things inevitably do not always go smoothly, so begin this process early and make sure you leave yourself a lot of time for the bureaucratic wheels to turn or for you to make last minute revisions.

· Two weeks (or more) before defence:

· Submit copies of thesis to all members of the Master’s Committee.

· Submit copy to Chair of Examination Committee.

· Book the GLIER Conference Room and GLIER Boardroom with the Administrative Assistant to the Director (Mary Lou).

· Notify the Graduate Secretary to post a “Notice of Defence” to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and to prepare the paperwork.

· Please be aware: Thesis Defence “Notice of Defence” must be submitted to Faculty of Graduate Studies at least 8 days prior to your defense.

· Application for Graduation has moved to UWinsite Student. The deadlines are before March 1st for June Convocation and before August 1st for October Convocation (Graduation Information).

· Please note that you will have a certain amount of time to complete all your degree requirements (if you haven’t already), including revisions (major and minor) of thesis, deposit of thesis to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, as well as proof of submission of an article to a scholarly journal by the Phase I deadline of that term. If not, then you will be required to register as a full time student and pay the tuition for that term.

· Deposit a copy of thesis with all corrections/revisions to Faculty of Graduate Studies.

· Submit a scientific article from your research (as 1st author) in order to fulfill requirements of degree.

· Please send proof to Grad Secretary (e.g., email of acknowledgement of submission by journal handling editor). Again, please note; if you leave this too late, it may delay your graduation date

Graduating Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Environmental ScienceTimeline:

You need to be completely finished within six consecutive years of admission if you entered the program with a M.Sc.; seven consecutive years if you transferred from a University of Windsor M.Sc. program.

Coursework:

· GLIER Multiple Stressors and Environmental Modelling course: register for this course dependent on when you’ve started your program and when it is offered.

· GLIER Multidisciplinary Graduate Seminar course: Required by both MSc and PhD candidates. It is a full year course, so you can only register for it for grades in the Fall term. In addition, all students are required to register for and audit the course every fall after they’ve obtained a grade. **Do NOT register for the GLIER Seminar Course if you plan to defend EARLY in the semester (i.e., by the Phase I deadline).

· GLIER Environmental Research Proposal course – ONLY if you have transferred from a MSc. without having taken it before (or have not done a Master’s degree).

· Ensure that you are registered for every semester (including Intersession) for your “Dissertation” (course number 68-798).

· Additional coursework required by your Examining Committee.

· Obtain B+ (77%) minimum in all coursework. Once classes are completed, it is good practice to double check your MyUWindsor account to ensure your transcript is complete and has all coursework accurately recorded including your thesis.

Research activities and submissions:

· Within the first 18 months, you will need to submit a written Research Proposal to your Committee. This will outline the background, approach and general expectations of the intended project.

· Two journal articles: one accepted; one submitted.

· At least 3 meetings with your Doctoral Committee: the first meeting should be within 12 months of beginning the program; the second within 24 months of beginning the program and the final meeting 6 months prior to your dissertation defense.

· Annual Report submitted to the Graduate Secretary by May 31 of each year (Annual Report Form). Specific original Annual Reports (i.e., Scholarship winners) will be forwarded to the Faculty of Graduate studies on their request.

· Doctoral dissertation, which may include any journal articles you’ve produced during the course of your Ph.D. work.

Examinations:

· Oral comprehensive exam administered by Doctoral Committee during first two years of enrolment.

· A public dissertation defense before the Examining Committee.

Important Dates for Dissertation Defense:

It needs to be said that things inevitably do not always go smoothly, so begin this process early and make sure you leave yourself a lot of time for the bureaucratic wheels to turn or for you to make last minute revisions. Please refer to the link on your Final Oral Defense.

· At least seven weeks before defence:

· Submit External Examiner Request Form to the Dean of Graduate Studies

· At least six weeks before defence:

· Copies of dissertation to Doctoral Committee Members

· Have (the majority of) Committee Members sign the form Approval to Submit a Doctoral Dissertation for External Examination

· At least four weeks before defence:

· Forward two copies (one hard copy and one electronic copy) to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (one will then be transmitted to the External Examiner).

· At least eight days before defence:

· Doctoral Committee notifies Graduate Secretary whether Notice of a Defence should be posted; must be confirmed by External Examiner.

· Dissertation Defense

· Applying for Graduation is now done through UWinsite Student. Applications must be completed before March 1st for June Convocation and before August 1st for October Convocation (Graduation Information).

· Please note that you will have a certain amount of time to complete all your degree requirements (if you haven’t already), including revisions (major and minor) of dissertation, deposit of dissertation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, as well as proof of acceptance of one article and submission of one article to a scholarly journal by the Phase I deadline of that term. If not, then you will be required to register as a full time student and pay the tuition for that term.

· Copies of the final Dissertation (corrected and revised as needed) are deposited with the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

· A published scientific article from your research (as 1st author) and the submission of a second (same requirements) in order to fulfill requirements of degree.

· Please send proof to Grad Secretary (e.g., email of acceptance, and acknowledgement of submission by journal handling editor). Again, please note; if you leave this too late, it may delay your graduation date.

I am defending close to the beginning of the term - do I need to register?

Yes, all graduate students must register and pay appropriate fees until actual completion of all of their degree requirements. Tuition refunds are available if all degree requirements, including the deposit of the major paper/thesis/dissertation, the scholarly article submission/acceptance requirements as per the program you are in, are completed by the posted Phase I and Phase II deadlines at the beginning of each term.

How do I transfer from my current M.Sc. to a Ph.D. program?

The M.Sc. to Ph.D. transfer program is a well-established custom in the Sciences for "fast-tracking" graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding progress in both course work and research after one full year of their M.Sc. studies.

There is – needless to say – a bunch of paperwork to be completed, but basically the requirements are:

· Completion of at least one graduate level course (3 credits) with no grade(s) lower than 80% or “satisfactory” for all coursework.

· At least one first-author journal article submitted.

· Exceptional progress in coursework and research.

· Registered in the M.Sc. program full-time for between 12 and 15 months.

· Approval of your Advising Committee. If this is unanimous, then you can transfer with a minimum of paperwork. If there is one or more objections, your request will have to go in front of the GLIER Graduate Committee.

Deadlines for transfer applications are October 1 (to start your PhD in the winter semester), February 1 (for summer), and June 1 (for fall). You can contact the Graduate Program Chair or the Graduate Secretary for more information. Remember that if appropriate, members of the student's M.Sc. advisory committee may also serve as members of the doctoral committee.

Keep in mind the deadline dates for Entrance Scholarship consideration with the Faculty of Graduate Studies for the term you would start the PhD program.

Timeline Extensions

If the time limit to completion of the program has expired, you can request an extension from the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Leave of Absence

As a full-time graduate student, you need to be continuously registered as a full time student in the GLIER program. Please refer to the following Categories of Registration as per the University of Windsor Graduate Calendar. If something occurs that will interrupt your studies, you can request a Leave of Absence from your program. The deadline to apply for a Leave of Absence is the posted registration add/drop deadline for each term (Leave of Absence Form). Also review How to Upload Forms.

Taking graduate courses at another University (visiting student)

The Ontario Visiting Graduate Student program (OVGS) allows a graduate student at an Ontario University to take graduate courses at another Ontario University while remaining registered at his/her Home University. See the Faculty of Graduate Studies website for more information.

What about finances?

GLIER guarantees that students admitted into our program will receive at least $18K/year (M.Sc.) or $19K/year (Ph.D.). This funding may take the form of scholarships, Graduate Assistantships (GAs), salaried Research Assistantships (RAs) and/or summer stipends.

Help on Campus

See “Financial Planning” in the “Where Can I Go For Help?” section later in this Handbook.

Tuition and Fees

The Cashier’s Office provides a simple calculator to determine what your tuition and fees will cost annually.

Scholarships & Awards

The Faculty of Graduate Studies funding website has much of the information you will need on internal and external sources of funding. They also offer information sessions, update their “Grad News” frequently and have Twitter feeds for financial aid news. Unfortunately, the myUwindsor search for awards is only applicable to undergraduates. Graduate students are expected to apply for all major scholarships for which they are eligible.

While there are a number of entrance scholarships for which you are automatically considered, some have a fairly involved application, requiring original transcripts, recommendation letters or essays, so make sure you start the application process early!

External Awards

There are some very prestigious awards available, but – to be honest – they can be difficult to find. The Student Affairs website has a few databases as well as online and UWin resources they recommend to help you start your search. Scholarship deadlines are all year long and some have very few applicants so it’s always worth trying! Best bet is to ask fellow graduate students or your supervisor if they know of any likely candidates (or have received any themselves).

GLIER Endowment Awards

GLIER has a number of graduate awards exclusively for GLIER graduate students showing financial need (some are listed on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website). Graduate students will receive an e-mail from GLIER’s Graduate Chair during the fall and winter notifying them of the GLIER awards available and giving details on how to apply.

Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) Environmental Science Scholarship


Awarded on the basis of merit to a Master's student in the GLIER Environmental Science program at the University of Windsor. Must be Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, and show financial need.
Value: $1,000.

Alex S. Davidson Award

Awarded to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who shows financial need and is doing research on the Great Lakes. Value: $8,000.

Lum Clark Research Excellence Awards

Two awards are granted annually: one at the MSc level and one at the PhD level. The awards are made on the basis of exceptional research abilities as displayed in publications and presentations. Value: $1,000 each.

Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER) Research Award

Awarded to Ph.D. or M.Sc. students in GLIER's Environmental Science program on the basis of a meritorious publication record. Must be Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, and show financial need.
Value: $750.

Graduate Student Conference Travel Support Fund

Funds are often available to full-time graduate students who have made presentations of their research at an academic conference. The amount of each reimbursement will not exceed $500.00 CDN for travel within North America, and $750.00 CDN for travel outside of North America. For more information, check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Graduate Student Society

GSS gives out a number of scholarships ($500 each) every winter usually based on financial need. Applications are usually available December and the deadline is normally in January (you will receive an e-mail from the Graduate Secretary). You can check the GSS website for details.

National and Provincial Scholarships

If you have an outstanding academic record (average A- in most recent two years of study) you may be in the running for a major external award. Evidence of research capability, previous research awards (such as NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards), and experience of research will also strengthen an application. See the Faculty of Graduate Studies website for more information.

UWin Endowment Awards

In the early fall, the Faculty of Graduate Studies sends out an e-mail with the current list of endowment awards available to graduate students (usually +200; some are listed on their website). These can all be applied for through your myUwindsor portal and normally should be completed by February.

Paid workGraduate Assistantships (GAs)

As a GA, your duties may include preparation of laboratories or quizzes, teaching labs to undergraduate students, marking assignments and similar activities. The Faculty of Graduate Studies website has an excellent webpage with all the details on GA responsibilities. An orientation workshop and training (GA/TAcademy) is offered every fall explaining all of your rights, responsibilities and basic instruction. The Centre for Teaching and Learning offers development opportunities, support, feedback and training for interested GAs throughout the year.

A fulltime GA is 10 hours/week for one term (140 hours total). M.Sc. students are guaranteed to hold three GA positions (one per semester) over two years; Ph.D. students can hold seven GA positions over four years. Throughout the years, students have been fortunate enough to receive a 4th (M.Sc.) or 8th (Ph.D.) GA-ship (although they cannot be guaranteed). Keep in mind when a student transfers from the MSc to the PhD program the number of guaranteed GA positions resets to zero. This means you will be entitled to at least seven more appointments over the first four years.

Any GA-ships applied for after these guaranteed GA’s are termed “grace GA” for one additional term, but this is dependent on teaching needs. The Office of Graduate Studies must approve any Grace GA’s requested. Note that you cannot defer a GAship except under special circumstances. GAs are covered under the CUPE 4580 agreement.

When dealing with GA contracts at the University of Windsor regarding "deferring" or "declining" of a GA contract.  If you decline, then you are basically waiving your right to one of the 3 or 7 guaranteed GA contracts (depending if you are an MSc or PhD candidate).   If you defer the GA contract for whatever reason, then you should be guaranteed the position as long as you are within the program length allotment as dictated by the graduate calendar. For example MSc candidates are expected to complete their program within 24 months of admission to the program and PhD students within 36 months of admission if the student entered the program with a M.Sc. degree, or 48 months of admission if the student transferred from the GLIER M.Sc. program.  So if you apply for a GA after the expected date of completion your application becomes a grace situation and you are therefore not guaranteed a GA contract (even if you had "deferred" a course in the past). 

You can request a specific GA assignment and faculty can request specific GAs but, ultimately, the assignments are decided by the Department Head on the basis of the teaching needs in any particular year and on your academic background.

If you are defending in a term can you apply for a grace GA?

If you are planning on defending and completing all graduation requirements by Phase I deadline (100% tuition refund), then you cannot apply for a grace GA. If you are planning on defending and completing all graduation requirements by Phase II deadline (50% tuition refund) then you can apply for a grace GA. However, remember the contract runs until the end of the term so if you sign the contract then you are contractually obligated to complete the GA duties until the end of that term.

Research Assistantships (RAs)

These are awards funded from professors' research grants and the value varies by academic program. They can be either scholarship or salary depending on whether you are trying to secure income or facilitate your research (Research Assistantship Guidelines). Your supervisor may decide to either top-up your salary during the semester you are GA-ing, or may reserve to pay you a lump sum during the summer semester (see below).

Summer Stipends

Because GA-ships are rare during the summer semester (given the number of courses taught during this time), students are paid through their supervisor’s grants.

Work Study

Work Study funds approximately 300 part-time jobs on campus for students demonstrating financial need related to basic living expenses and direct educational costs. Positions offer opportunity for both financial benefits and skills development.

Canadian graduate students can be employed as work study students from five to ten hours a week unless they have a GA. You must also have a completed OSAP assessment. International students can discuss their situation with their International Student Advisor to see if an exception can be made. Applications for positions are usually in October.

Student LoansNeeds-Based Financial Assistance

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides grants, interest-free loans and 30% off Ontario tuition. You are encouraged to apply if your family income is $160,000 or less as eligibility for OSAP extends to needs-based awards and work study positions. To estimate how much OSAP assistance you might qualify for or to apply on-line, click here. For more information see the Student Awards & Financial Aid website.

DiscountsInternational Student Identity Card (ISIC).

To get your ISIC card visit the office of UWSA (2nd floor CAW) and bring your validated student card and a passport-size photo.

· Porter Airlines

· Via Rail

· Greyhound

· Everything from pizza to clothing (Benefits and Discounts)

Student Price Card (SPC).

Available online or at stores at Devonshire Mall (e.g., American Eagle, Bluenote, Shoppers Drug Mart) for $10.

· Body Shop

· McDonald’s

· Guess Jeans

· And many more retailers and restaurants are covered.

UwinCard

· Free access to all UWin athletic home games and events

· Discount with Transit Windsor

· Canadian Superstore (10% off on Tuesdays; there is a special free bus service for all students that runs from UWin’s Alumni Hall between 6 – 9 PM On Tuesdays. Check with the International Student Centre for more information.)

· Bulk Barn (10% off on Wednesdays)

· Terra Cotta Pizza (2 for 1 pizza with purchase of a beverage on Wednesdays)

· University Players – amazing subscription price and a discount on individual shows

· Roots and other clothing stores

· Detroit Pistons and Red Wings often offer UWin students a discount on tickets (watch the UWin Daily News)

· Most of the major computer hardware and software providers (e.g., Microsoft, Dell, Apple) offer student discounts

· Also try Googling “student discounts Canada”

CUPE 4580

If you are a GA, you are a member of CUPE 4580. Members of any union are eligible for discounts at a number of local and national retailers.

UWin Employee

There are a number of retailers that offer staff discounts to UWin employees, including corporate rates on hotels and discounts on Lancer camps.

Around GLIERPeopleGeneral Personnel (Executive, Office and Facilities)Dr. Mike McKay, Executive Director of GLIER

Room 247D. The Director is in constant consultation with all of the GLIER Committees, including the Graduate Committee, and will oversee your progress through reports from the Graduate Program Chair. GLIER’s Executive Director is accessible to the student body (not the norm in many departments) and -- after your Advisor and the Graduate Program Chair -- this is the person to see to resolve any difficulties you may be having in your graduate career.

Dr. Ken Drouillard, Acting Graduate Program Chair

Room 130. After your Advisor, this is the person you will come to if you are having any difficulties during your time at GLIER. They can provide advice, intervention and references to resources to help you through any problems you might be having and, with the help of the Graduate Secretary, will do their best to ensure that you graduate on schedule.

Mary Lou Scratch, Assistant to the Executive Director

Room 247A. The Assistant to the Executive Director is an excellent first person to contact regarding anything to do with the GLIER building, resources or administrative questions (e.g., mailing packages, answering HR questions).

Kendra Thompson-Kumar, Graduate Secretary

Room 249A. The Graduate Secretary will track your progress and coordinate all the paperwork that evolves during the course of your degree. The Secretary is an excellent resource for questions specifically about academics and graduate student opportunities at GLIER.

Custodial Staff

A cleaning service provides a single custodian during work hours to clean the building and take care of basic recycling and trash removal.

Research PersonnelFaculty

We have five kinds of faculty associated with GLIER:

· Ancillary Faculty: a member of the Institute with teaching, but no supervisory privileges.

· Adjunct Faculty: associated with GLIER in a part-time capacity for the purposes of co-supervising graduate students and/or facilitating research.

· GLIER Faculty: full faculty members with supervisory and teaching privileges.

· Hybrid Faculty: members who have a one or two year appointment to GLIER but who’s home-base is another department in the University of Windsor (e.g., Department of Biological Sciences)

· Visiting Faculty: faculty from different labs and/or universities usually at GLIER to explore new fields, techniques or collaborations during a sabbatical year. They have little to do with GLIER’s graduate students.

Postdoctoral Fellows (Postdocs or PDFs)

People who have received their Ph.D. and are pursuing further training (usually one to five years) working independently on their own projects and perhaps assisting in the supervision of students or the running of the lab. As senior lab members they can often be a great technical resource for graduate students.

Technical Staff

All of GLIER’s research facilities are run by full-time technicians employed by the University of Windsor, They are available to train new users, provide assistance with the running of the equipment, and offer advice on preparation methods or troubleshooting.

Research FacilitiesAnimal Behaviour Laboratory

Room 110. Animal Behaviour Laboratory supports behavioural assessments on aquatic species such as fish. Researchers have access to various types of equipment ranging from holding tanks to video-tracking software. Contact Dr. Christina Semeniuk.

Aquatic Research Facility

Rooms 122, 124, 126A, 128, 128B (north end of the first floor). Our Aquatic Research Facility provides temperature-controlled experimental design capability for aquatic organisms. The Animal Care/Field Technician (Todd Leadley) can advise you on Animal Care guidelines and structural experimental design and reserve space for your experiments.

Boat Launch

GLIER maintains a private boat launch on the Detroit River, while access to other locations on the Great Lakes occurs via public or private marinas.

Centre for Geospatial Analysis

Rooms 303, 306, 306A. The primary function of the laboratory is to use GIS technology for environmental research on the Great Lakes, for example: monitoring the movements of invasive species; mapping contaminants or air pollution and creating a unique geospatial database of GLIER research. Contact Alice Grgicak-Manion.

Chemical Tracers Laboratory

The Chemical Tracers Laboratory contains state-of-the-art equipment allowing the facility to provide analysis of multiple chemical tracers including stable isotopes, carbon stable isotopes of fatty acid extracts (but not the fatty acid extraction), carbon stable isotopes of individual organic contaminant chemicals, PCBs, and metals.

Computer Facilities

Room 150. If your project requires high-performance computer processing (e.g., data analysis of NextGen sequencing, population genetics, behavioural trials and behaviour modeling) GLIER has a secure facility with ten top-of-the-line workstations connected to the University’s network as well as dedicated network attached storage (NAS). Contact either Dr. Daniel Heath and/or Dr. Christina Semeniuk.

Element and Heavy Isotope Analytical Laboratories (EHIAL)

The CALA-accredited Element and Heavy Isotope Analytical Laboratories (EHIAL) consists of a suite of ultra-clean rooms in which sample preparation for metal and isotope chemistry via extractions, separations and digestions are performed (air balanced rooms with H.E.P.A. filters, hot plate and microwave; CEM M.A.R.S. 5).

Environmental Genomics Facility (EGF)

Rooms 224, 226. The Environmental Genomics Facility (EGF) provides researchers access to DNA sequencing, automated DNA extraction, microarray printing and scanning as well as real-time PCR.

Advanced Microscopy and Materials Characterization

Rooms 107, 109, 109A. GLIER’s Environmental SEM is extremely versatile, and allows users to image the most challenging samples including wet, dirty, oily or outgassing samples. The Environmental SEM excels at High Resolution Imaging (capable of a resolution of five nanometers), excellent backscatter images, elemental analysis with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental mapping, and cathodoluminescence of trace elements. Complimentary to the SEM, the facility includes a WiTec Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Confocal Raman Spectrometer which is a multifunctional integrated system allowing users to do both AFM and Raman spectroscopy on the same sample, on the same instrument, using integrated software. It also has a True Surface Profilometer, and SNOM (Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy) capabilities, which can achieve an optical resolution of 50-100 nm. This capability is extremely useful for identifying the chemical structure/fingerprint in environmental samples (contaminants).

Freshwater Ecology Restoration Centre (FERC)

The Freshwater Ecology Restoration Centre (FERC) is a CFI-funded complex located on the Detroit River in LaSalle with free access to a municipal boat launch as well as a private dock. At present, the facility consists of an early rearing facility to examine juvenile fish in a common environment with strict environmental controls in order to test the effects of different stressors on young fish populations. Expansions started in 2014 will soon provide even more space and flexibility for aquatic experiments.

Nutrient Analysis Laboratory

Room 222. The Nutrient Analysis Laboratory allows water samples collected from aquatic bodies including lakes, rivers, natural ponds, storm water ponds and the marine environment to be analyzed for parameters such as Alkalinity, Ammonia as N, Chloride, Chlorophyll a, Coliform bacteria (Escherichia coli), Nitrate, pH, Sulphate, Total Suspended Solids, and Total Phosphorus.

Organic Analytical Lab

Room 222, 222B. The Organic Analytical Lab (OAL) has performs a wide range of analyses on environmental samples for chemicals such as PCBs (planar and non-coplanar), Pesticides, PAHs, PBDEs, Dioxins and Volatile Organic Halogens.

General FacilitiesBoard Room

Room 247B. For small meetings and presentations.

Conference Room

Room 250. For larger meetings, classes and presentations. There is a remote controlled screen. The adjacent closet is where the projector is kept.

Lounge

Room 228. There is a coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator here, mostly used by staff. This room is also used for small meetings.

Lab Services Rooms

Room 127 has an ice machine and is the room for waste handling. Room 201 has an autoclave, incubator, dishwasher and ice machine.

Mail Room

Room 249B. A photocopier, paper cutter, paper shredder and heavy duty stapler are available in the Mail Room. A paper shredder box is located outside of Secretary to the Executive Director’s office.

Student Lounge

Section 244. There is a refrigerator, microwave and toaster oven for your use. The central printer for grad students is also located here.

Procedures and PoliciesResearch-Related Academic Integrity

Academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) can have a heavy cost to your academic career. The Academic Integrity Office has everything you need to avoid this pitfall, including interactive tutorials and twice-yearly workshops especially for international students, who may not be as familiar with North American citation and anti-plagiarism standards.

Appeals

All students have the right of appeal under Senate Bylaw 51 (see "section 2: Students registered in the Faculty of Graduate Studies"). In addition to appealing informally (see Bylaw 51, section 2.7.1), if you feel you have been treated unfairly, you may submit an appeal of grade to the Dean of Graduate Studies. Read more at the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Boats

Boat users operate the vessels with the understanding that they or their Advisor are responsible for the repair of any damage other than routine wear-and-tear. Boat maintenance and safety issues can be addressed through the Animal Care/Field Technician. Boats may only be operated by individuals who have:

· received appropriate, department-approved instruction

· agreed to follow Departmental Guidelines regarding safety on field trips

· have a valid boat operator’s license

· have MED A3 certification

Field Courses

Additional certifications and licenses may be required depending on your research needs. These can take a long time to receive, so discuss these issues with your Advisor early in your research. For example:

· If you will be taking a boat to collect fish through electroshocking, you would need:

· Electroshocking course (three to four days; usually offered in the Spring)

· First Aid and CPR. Necessary if you are going to take the electroshocking course.

· Marine Emergency Duties A3 (MED A3) usually offered in spring through the University or Georgian College. Necessary if you will be in charge on any water-going vessel for work reasons.

· If you will be working with a government agency collecting and studying live samples of endangered species, you could potentially require:

· Fish Collection Permit (OMNR)

· Fish Transport Permit (OMNR)

· SARA permit (DFO)

· Animal Care course (UWin)

· Animal Utilization Project Protocol (UWin)

· Research Agreement or other documents relating to intellectual property and/or insurance

Fieldwork

Talk to your Advisor, the Field Safety Coordinator/Animal Care/Field Technician and experienced lab mates to get their advice about planning and conducting field research. Here are some general things to keep in mind.

· Will you have to transport any controlled substances (e.g., non-native plants, biohazardous materials, controlled substances like ethanol)? This can especially be a problem crossing borders.

· Have you taken appropriate safety courses?

· Do you have reliable safety equipment (e.g., Personal Flotation Device, First Aid Kit)?

· Have you let people know your plans: where you are going, when you will be back and who to contact? If you have taken a boat, ensure that the Animal Care/Field Technician also has this information.

· Are you traveling with another person? Always do fieldwork in pairs.

· Do you have all your permits with you?

· Never conduct field research in hazardous weather conditions.

· Have you developed a sample labeling system?

· What kind of preservative will best store any samples?

· Do you have any special shipping considerations (e.g. do you have samples that need to be frozen?)?

· Will you need refrigeration at the site?

· What other equipment/supplies/instruments are needed that you will need to bring in with you?

Fume hood Alarms

After a power fluctuation or outage, fume hood alarms may sound; these can simply be muted. If there is a fume hood that is continuously sounding, notify the owner of the fume hood.

Major Equipment Malfunction

In the event of a malfunction of major equipment (e.g., freezers) during business hours please contact the Secretary to the Executive Director. If it is outside of regular business hours, check to see if there